by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Sun Dec 14 22:17:04 PST 2014

As more and more studies are published each year around the subject, probiotics are becoming highly regarded for their multi-faceted health benefits. They help retain the balance between good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract, as well as provide benefits to other areas of health, such as reducing symptoms of stress. When it comes ... read more

Do any of you give probiotics to your baby? If so, what kind or brand? Do you give to treat specific conditions or simply for overall health? I take probiotics myself and I breastfeed my baby; would the probiotics be transfered through breastmilk? My baby is in perfect health so I am wondering if it is still good to give him probiotic supplements or if I would be wasting my money? Thanks for your input.

by @ UpSpring: Blog Posts

Mon Nov 27 21:00:00 PST 2017

We see you, momma. You’re trying to conceive, or are already pregnant, and part of your preparation includes practically going blind trying to read every book and blog under the sun about how to get pregnant, what the signs of pregnancy are and how to get the birth you want. Pregnancy is hard. You’re GROWING A TINY HUMAN, but keep the faith! If you’re trying to get pregnant, or you think you’re experiencing symptoms of pregnancy, it’s important that you do your research on the best prenatal vitamins and start taking them right away!

It’s estimated that one in 33 babies are born with a birth defect and with the right nutrition, many of these birth defects are preventable. To jump start your search for the best nutritional support and prenatal vitamin, we are focusing primarily on a very important nutrient during pregnancy, vitamin B9. This vitamin has been clinically shown to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), which are birth defects that affect the spinal cord and brain development. Vitamin B9 can be found in two different forms: the form that is most commonly found in prenatal vitamins is known as folic acid and the other is folate. But which version of vitamin B9 should you take, folic acid or folate? What’s the difference and what are the risks to you or your baby if you don’t get enough?

If you and your partner are trying ways to get pregnant, you likely have done your research into some of the best prenatal vitamins that help support a growing fetus and supplement the nutritional gap of your dietary intake. You’ve found by now that not all prenatal vitamins are created equal and many use low to no quality ingredients. During pregnancy, you know there are a few essential vitamins all pregnant women need to include in their prenatal diets. One of the most important nutrients that has been clinically studied for years and has been shown to decrease the risk of neural tubular defects is vitamin B9. Before delving into the differences between the synthetic (folic acid) and natural form (folate) of vitamin B9 and discussing its critical role in your baby’s development, let’s review a few key studies that will give us a better understanding of the critical role vitamin B9 plays during fetal brain development and how it can minimize neural tube defects by as much as 70% if taken 2-3 months before conception(1). The mandatory folic acid fortification in the United States in the late 1990s, led to a 19% reduction in neural tube defects(2). Another study that was updated in 2015, found that in countries who do not fortify their rice with folic acid had a 3-5x higher percentage of births with neural tube defects (3).

What Are Neural Tube Defects and When Do They Occur?

Neural tube defects are birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord. The neural tube forms in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy and sets the stage for the later development of the nervous system and brain. The most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. Spina bifida is when the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely and despite many advances in medicine, the life expectancy is only 30-40 years and typically ends in renal failure. The key here is that most women do not know they are pregnant in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, the hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), also known as the ‘pregnancy hormone’ because it is what pregnancy tests are detecting, does not spike until about 60-90 days after conception. Given that the neural tube has already formed by 28 days after conception, there is nothing that can be done to reverse this problem. That is why it is so critical that women are getting enough vitamin B9 in their diets at least one month before conception and two months after conception.

There is some comfort in knowing that the United States government mandated the fortification of enriched cereal grain products with folic acid starting in 1996 and it was fully implemented by 1998. One study found it to have resulted in a 19% decrease of neural tube defects in the years following the mandate, however, there may be more to this story. In fact, there are some studies that suggest folic acid may have adverse health outcomes including cognitive function(4).

Should I Take Folate Instead of Folic Acid?

Folic acid is synthetically made and folate is naturally occuring. It’s estimated that about 40-60% of the population has a mutation on the MTHFR gene, which is the gene that breaks down folic acid and turns it into a usable form of vitamin B9, methylfolate. To make things worse, it’s estimated that if you have this MTHFR gene mutation, your body can be up to 80% less efficient in converting the folic acid which is used for DNA methylation, the process of turning certain genes off and on. Without knowing whether you have this mutation or not, there is still a high probability that your body will not be able to use the folic acid to its fullest potential and possibly putting your fetus at risk because if your body can not convert the folic acid into a usable form, it’s as if you aren’t taking anything at all. The best prenatal vitamins mitigate the possibility that your body will not be able to utilize the synthetic folic acid and have opted to use natural folate instead.

Pregnancy is a beautiful, wonderful time in your life and the choices you make in regards to your health and nutrition are critical building blocks for your baby’s health. When you start looking at prenatal vitamins and other nutritional supplementation, be sure that you look for brands that use the most natural and bioavailable ingredients and this is especially important now given all that we’re still learning about the MTHFR mutation and how the body processes folic acid versus folate.

by Nancy Duarte @ Natural Factors

Tue Oct 10 10:57:02 PDT 2017

You’re invited! Join Dr. Kate Rhéaume, ND, along with an expert panel of the top natural health specialists at the upcoming Women’s Health Matters lecture series focusing on women’s health. Learn about the various topics on women’s health including stress, menopause, hormones, nutrition and digestion. Dr. Rhéaume graduated from McMaster University and completed her professional training at the Canadian College of more...

by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS

Tue Feb 13 07:05:00 PST 2018

An alarming number of Canadian police officers ignore some potential crimes because they fear interactions with the public will come back to haunt them on social media, according to an officer-turned-researcher at Carleton University.

by Natural Care Clinic @ Naturally Healthy Kids

Tue Apr 19 11:40:26 PDT 2011

What is colic? colic is when a healthy baby cries or screams frequently and, for extended periods, without any discernible reason the condition typically appears within the first two weeks of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is three to four months old, but can last up to 12 months of […]

by Dr. Sara Celik @ Renew Life Canada

Tue Sep 20 07:16:45 PDT 2016

If you’re like me, you do your best to take care of your health. You eat well, drink adequate water, and exercise regularly. For the most part, life is pretty good. But a part of you feels it could be better. Perhaps you want to jump out of bed in the morning before your alarm Continue reading

by Jennifer House @ First Step Nutrition

Tue Feb 13 07:42:58 PST 2018

Disclosure: I am happy to bring you this sponsored post today, thanks to Alberta Milk. All thoughts are my own. Happy Valentine’s Day! Speaking of love…….does food = love for you? Often food is often equated with love. And this can be a beautiful relationship! Think...

by Tisha Simpkins @ Natural Factors

Wed Jul 12 09:45:56 PDT 2017

Plant-based protein powder isn’t new, but it does seem to be gaining in popularity. These days, there’s a wide variety of products to choose from, so it can be hard to determine which is best suited to your lifestyle and dietary needs. For those considering adding a plant-based protein powder to their diet, but don’t more...

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Sun Jun 08 22:53:50 PDT 2014

Omega-3 fatty acids have become one of the biggest buzzwords among health enthusiasts, but how much do you know about one source of omega-3 from another? Most people will have heard of fish oil as one of the best sources of these fatty acids, but another marine-based organism has been steadily gaining popularity. Krill oil ... read more

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Sun Jul 06 23:04:43 PDT 2014

It’s no secret that stress can affect our bodies and minds – but just how exactly, and is there anything you can do about it? In particular, here’s how stress can affect your digestive system and health and just how your intake of probiotics might be able to help. Stress and the Gastrointestinal System According ... read more

by Jennifer House @ First Step Nutrition

Wed Oct 11 13:40:56 PDT 2017

One of the most common questions I get in my online Facebook Babyled Weaning group is: “How can I stop my baby from throwing his food?!” Throwing food is a stage most babies go through, at least once. Early on, they are learning to open and close...

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Wed Dec 03 22:10:56 PST 2014

Why choose a broad spectrum probiotic? There are so many reasons. As living organisms, probiotics have different requirements in order to survive. For example, some probiotics can flourish without oxygen, whereas others may require a regular dose of prebiotics – a type of plant fibre that essentially feeds probiotics – and a regular oxygen supply ... read more

by NCC Staff @ Natural Care Clinic

Thu Apr 07 09:27:07 PDT 2016

Written by Dr. Danielle O’Connor, ND I am amazed at the increased number of young children and teens that come in our clinic for the treatment of anxiety. It seems to me that the numbers have increased exponentially over the past few years. What is happening to our youth? Is it due to our environment? […]

by Natural Care Clinic @ Naturally Healthy Kids

Tue Apr 19 11:37:36 PDT 2011

A nutritious diet full of vitamins and minerals is the cornerstone of your child’s health. The health of each cell depends on the ongoing influx of available nutrients from dietary sources. Due to a number of unfortunate environmental factors, our food supply is not as robust as it once was. Research shows that the nutrient […]

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Sat Jun 28 23:03:18 PDT 2014

Although we take steps to protect ourselves from harmful bacteria in our environment, the truth is that the human body actually requires many different kinds of beneficial micro-organisms to maintain optimal health. Most of these bacteria live in your digestive tract and play an important role in helping your digestive system run smoothly. In fact, ... read more

by NCC Staff @ Natural Care Clinic

Tue Nov 24 12:24:07 PST 2015

Written by: Dr. Danielle O’Connor, ND I recently attended the MAPS (Medical Academy of Special Needs) conference in Florida and was quickly reminded about how our environment can affect our health, especially our children’s. I want to make people aware (hopefully not in a scary way) that what we choose to expose our children to […]

Friendly bacteria, known as probiotics, may offer health benefits for adults and children alike. But you should consult your pediatrician before giving your child probiotics. Never give probiotics to children or infants who are seriously ill or have weakened immune systems. Probiotics may cause flatulence and mild stomach discomfort. Some...

by Renew Life Team @ Renew Life Canada

Tue Sep 20 13:38:19 PDT 2016

All too often digestion can seem like an automatic process, but nowadays scientists are discovering that we need to have a different mindset. Specifically, we need to be mindful of the fact that a balanced gut is the foundation for optimal health—and one of the ways we can do that is by understanding the benefits Continue reading

by Jennifer House @ First Step Nutrition

Fri Sep 29 10:24:31 PDT 2017

Every mom gets it: unwanted parenting advice. And often, to do with how you’re feeding your baby or children. Whether your grandma wants you to feed your baby cereal in a bottle at 2 months, your mom is worried your 7 month old will choke...

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Wed Jun 11 22:57:54 PDT 2014

First it was fish oil, and now everyone’s talking about the benefits of krill oil, which has the same beneficial omega-3 fats in a more easily absorbed form. But is krill oil helpful for arthritis? It is extracted from small prawn-like crustaceans which are found in the Arctic and Antarctic ocean. These fatty acids have been ... read more

Canada’s #1 DHA & Probiotic baby formulaGOOD START 1 Probiotic with DHA is our best for baby's nutrition. It is the first baby formula with the combined benefits of Probiotic B. lactis and DHA & ARA (Omega 3 & 6). Probiotics B. lactis* in GOOD START 1 Probiotic contributes to your baby’s healthy gut flora. A healthy gut flora is part of an overall part of a healthy gut. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for your baby.<ul><li>With the benefits of Probiotic B. lactis, which contributes to baby's healthy gut flora</li><li>Contains DHA & ARA (Omega 3 & 6) which support baby’s normal physical brain and eye development</li><li>Designed for your little one with small proteins for small tummies. GOOD START is easy to digest*</li><li>Convenient packaging with a built-in grip for one-handed use. Made without the use of BPA.</li><li>Over 150 years of trusted nutrition expertise </li></ul> According to Market Track data for the year ending Feb 4, 2017.*All infant formulas are designed to be easy to digest

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Tue Jul 15 23:07:00 PDT 2014

Pregnancy is an incredibly exciting time and signals a new chapter in life. In nurturing you and your baby as he or she grows, there is also a set of health and nutritional guidelines that are important to follow for overall wellbeing and development. When it comes to probiotics and pregnancy, probiotics during pregnancy via ... read more

by Natural Care Clinic @ Naturally Healthy Kids

Thu May 23 19:28:07 PDT 2013

First of all I freak out a little bit because my sweet baby girl is crying and looks so sad and in pain. She didn’t have a fever this morning, but she sure does now. She woke up with a cough, but was fine and happy all day long. We were out to dinner with my mom and […]

Question There has been a great deal of discussion in both the medical and lay literature about the use of probiotics to improve general health. Subsequently, pregnant women have been asking me if probiotics used for treating conditions such as bacterial ...

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Sat Jun 21 23:00:18 PDT 2014

These days everyone knows about the importance of keeping cholesterol levels low, but how much do you know about this substance and how it works in the body? Cholesterol is a waxy type of substance similar to fat. It can be found throughout the body and it does actually have some benefits for you. For ... read more

Canada’s #1 DHA & Probiotic baby formulaGOOD START 1 Probiotic with DHA is our best for baby's nutrition. It is the first baby formula with the combined benefits of Probiotic B. lactis and DHA & ARA (Omega 3 & 6). Probiotics B. lactis* in GOOD START 1 Probiotic contributes to your baby’s healthy gut flora. A healthy gut flora is part of an overall part of a healthy gut. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for your baby.<ul><li>With the benefits of Probiotic B. lactis, which contributes to baby's healthy gut flora</li><li>Contains DHA & ARA (Omega 3 & 6) which support baby’s normal physical brain and eye development</li><li>Designed for your little one with small proteins for small tummies. GOOD START is easy to digest*</li><li>Convenient packaging with a built-in grip for one-handed use. Made without the use of BPA.</li><li>Over 150 years of trusted nutrition expertise </li></ul> According to Market Track data for the year ending Feb 4, 2017.*All infant formulas are designed to be easy to digest

by Nancy Duarte @ Natural Factors

Thu Dec 07 08:36:11 PST 2017

Feeling the pressure of family and work stress? The stress of maintaining a challenging career with demanding expectations can put significant strains on family life and relationships. If this sounds all too familiar, you aren’t alone. More than one in every four Canadian workers report finding even a regular day “quite a bit” or “extremely” more...

So, my research into the fascinating world of probiotics continues... The more I learn about these amazing forms of bacteria the more frustrated I become with the commercial brands that are available...

by Renew Life Team @ Renew Life Canada

Tue Sep 13 07:40:12 PDT 2016

Each day we are confronted by harmful toxins in the air we breathe, the food and water we consume, and even in the products we use every day to make our lives more convenient. Over time, those toxins can build up in the body and impact our overall health. For this reason, many health experts Continue reading

Canada’s #1 DHA & Probiotic baby formulaGOOD START 1 Probiotic with DHA is our best for baby's nutrition in a new larger format with 70% more than our 600g tub. It is the first baby formula with the combined benefits of Probiotic B. lactis and DHA & ARA (Omega 3 & 6). Probiotics B. lactis* in GOOD START 1 Probiotic contributes to your baby’s healthy gut flora. A healthy gut flora is part of an overall part of a healthy gut. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for your baby.<ul><li>With the benefits of Probiotic B. lactis, which contributes to baby's healthy gut flora</li><li>Contains DHA & ARA (Omega 3 & 6) which support baby’s normal physical brain and eye development</li><li>Designed for your little one with small proteins for small tummies. GOOD START is easy to digest*</li><li>Convenient packaging with a built-in grip for one-handed use. Made without the use of BPA</li><li>150 years of trusted nutrition expertise </li></ul> According to Market Track data for the year ending Feb 4, 2017.*All infant formulas are designed to be easy to digest.

by Natural Care Clinic @ Naturally Healthy Kids

Tue Apr 19 11:33:02 PDT 2011

Seasonal allergies are caused by your child’s immune system reacting with the environment around them. Children with allergies are usually sensitive to more than one thing and can also suffer with eczema and/or asthma. Allergies can cause a runny nose, rashes, swelling, itching and asthma. Allergic responses are inflammatory. To understand how to help allergies […]

by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS

Tue Feb 13 04:20:00 PST 2018

The first Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles curling goes to Canada, after John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes beat defending world champions Jenny Perret and Martin Rios of Switzerland 10-3 in the gold-medal game.

GutPro™ custom probiotic supplement. Discover the one that’s different! Not just because of what we put in it. But also because of what we leave out. All probiotics recognize that a healthy, balanced digestive system is crucial to a healthy life. And that’s all good. Unfortunately most people are not aware that additives in some probiotics can actually prevent the very health they are designed to support. That’s why we created GutPro™ probiotic supplement. Click here to read GutPro reviews. Custom probiotic formula Our custom probiotic formula is designed to provide essential elements for digestive health, without certain bacteria strains and additives that can

by Zoe (Social Media Manager) @ Blog – Well.ca Blog

Tue Feb 06 07:00:45 PST 2018

Welcome to the first post of Oh Baby – a monthly series where an expert shares the scoop on all you need to know for the littlest members in your family! Seanna Cohen | Skin Care Therapist | Elodie Beauty There are enough things to worry about...

by Jennifer House @ First Step Nutrition

Fri Jan 26 13:32:15 PST 2018

Do you have troubles getting enough iron in your diet? If you’re pregnant, vegetarian or a baby – even if you just regularly get your period…or are a picky eating toddler…the answer is probably yes. Pregnancy nausea can bring challenges with swallowing large prenatal vitamins....

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Fri Jun 27 23:01:34 PDT 2014

You might have heard about the benefits of probiotic supplements for your digestive health and immune system, but how much do you know about prebiotics? Understanding the difference between prebiotics and probiotics can help you unlock the benefits of both probiotics and prebiotics for your body. What’s the difference? Probiotics are living bacterial micro-organisms. They’re ... read more

by Sonya @ Naturally Healthy Kids

Mon Feb 24 17:49:52 PST 2014

The research on the good bacteria in the gut has helped us understand how to prevent and treat gut related issues. Most people take a probiotic or give one to their child when they have been on an antibiotic or if there is a digestive issue. So let’s start there. Which probiotic should you take after a round […]

by @ UpSpring: Blog Posts

Mon Jan 29 21:00:00 PST 2018

One of the biggest questions that new moms ask is "how do I get my body back after pregnancy." Bouncing back after baby is one of the most frequently asked questions about postpartum recovery, if not THE number one question. We're here to help! While developing our newest line of compression garments for postpartum recovery, we found that the fiber they're made out of can make a HUGE difference in recovery time.

Activated charcoal is all the rage lately! You've probably seen it used in everything from tooth paste to face masks, but we've taken it a step further and added bamboo charcoal fiber to our latest line of postpartum compression garments. The fabric is designed to increase circulation and thus, metabolism. (And who doesn't love that!) This fiber, combined with the triple-point compression helps to speed up healing after giving birth and get you back to your pre-pregnancy weight in no time!

Watch the short video we made that explains it a little more:

We know you don't have a lot of time on your hands, which is why we designed the Shrinkx Bamboo Charcoal belly wrap to be easy to put on and off. It's great for supporting your lower back, especially while breastfeeding and when used with the right postpartum exercises can even assist in the healing process of common issues like diastisis recti and other abdominal problems.

Probiotics are defined as “a substance that stimulates the growth of microorganisms, especially those with beneficial properties (such as those of the intestinal flora).” Our intestinal flora contains hundreds of different types of bacteria, and makes up much of our immune system. These good bacteria...

Made by Organic 3 who pride themselves in not only the high quality ingredients they put in their probiotic blends but they are just as proud of what they leave out. No additives or nasty ingredients that are counterproductive to good gut health

by Life Space Team @ Life-Space

Wed Oct 29 23:09:51 PDT 2014

Breast-feeding is such a special time for a mother and her baby and is an important way to provide dense nutrition and physical bonding. While there is so much research showing us why it really is ‘liquid gold’, there is new evidence that probiotics and prebiotics contained in breast milk have significant health benefits on ... read more

by Natural Care Clinic @ Naturally Healthy Kids

Mon Jun 03 17:21:24 PDT 2013

I’m a Burlington Naturopathic Doctor, I have a beautiful 7 month old little girl and a gorgeous 2 ½ year old big girl. When my baby A turned 6 months I was exhausted from lack of sleep but decided I wanted to make her baby food. It had to be organic and it had to follow the […]

by @ Custom Probiotics Canada: Latest News

Wed Dec 31 11:00:00 PST 2014

Powders allow you to vary your dosage very easily. You can
take as little or much as you personally require this way. For example, some of
our clients use a baby scoop of powder a day which is about 30 – 40 billion CFU.
Others take up to 4 adult scoops a day, that’s about 1.2 Trillion CFU a day! That
would be about 15 capsules!

So if you want to take a high amount of CFU, we would
suggest trying the powders. They also cost less per CFU compared to the
capsules.

by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS

Tue Feb 13 07:18:00 PST 2018

Prince Edward Island remains the only province in Canada that doesn’t cover gender reconstructive surgery, and that policy has left one Islander feeling frustrated, after he opted for the only surgery he could afford, but one that he says left him feeling disfigured.

FloraBABY is one of the strongest childrens' probiotics on the market with each serving containing 4 billion active cultures. This blend helps to support digestive health, ease constipation, and boost the immune system. FloraBABY is an easy to take, flavourless powder designed for children ages 1 - 12.

FloraBABY is one of the strongest childrens' probiotics on the market with each serving containing 4 billion active cultures. This blend helps to support digestive health, ease constipation, and boost the immune system. FloraBABY is an easy to take, flavourless powder designed for children ages 1 - 12.

by mb_admin @ Mommys Bliss

by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS

Tue Feb 13 07:39:00 PST 2018

After hanging a poster with the words ‘I will win’ above his bed when he was nine years old, Canadian freestyle skier Mikael Kingsbury reflects on how it felt to realize his childhood dream of winning a gold medal at the Winter Olympics.